Dose of Halacha

Question:  Do I need to feed my pet fish kosher l’pesach food over Pesach? Answer: The Gemara (Pesachim 21b) teaches that one may not have any benefit from, or even own chametz over Pesach. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 443:1) writes that one must not feed one’s animal chametz over Pesach. One may not even instruct a non-Jew to do so on their behalf (ibid. 448:7). However, the Mishna Berura (448:33) and Aruch Hashulchan (OC 448:12) write that one may sell their animal to a non-Jew for the duration of Pesach. It is best to sell the animal with one’s chametz to ensure that the transaction is carried out in a halachically accepted manner, and the animal should be removed to the non-Jew’s property. One should not sell the animal along with its chametz food as that is giving the impression that one is using a tricky loophole to feed one’s animal with chametz. Although Ashkenazim do not eat kitniyos on Pesach, they are allowed to own and benefit from it. Thus, one may feed...

Question:  Do I need to place a mezuza on the entrance to a small laundry room, approximately 1.8 metres long and 1.5 metres wide? Answer: The Gemara (Sukka 3a) writes that we are not required to attach a mezuza to a house which is smaller than four amos by four amos . According to R’ Chaim Naeh (Shiurei Torah 13:25) this measures up to just under 3.7m 2 . Even the Chazon Ish (quoted in Shiurin Shel Torah 10:8), who maintains that an amah is larger, holds that one should follow the smaller size in this case.   While the Rosh (Mezuza 16) writes that both the width and length of the room need to be at least four amos, Rambam (Mezuza 6:2) and Shulchan Aruch (YD 286:13) write that it depends only on the size of the area. Thus, the Shach (YD 286:23) and Aruch Hashulchan (YD 286:21) hold that if either the length or width of the room is less than four amos, one should affix a mezuza without reciting a beracha . The Pischei Teshuva (YD 286:11) quotes the Chamudei Daniel...

Question: As I was putting my tefillin away, I noticed that there are several spots on my retzuos where the black paint has worn off. Are the tefillin still kosher, or do I need to repaint them before wearing them again? Answer: The Gemara (Menachos 35a) teaches that there is a halacha lemoshe misinai that the retzuos must be painted black. The Elya Rabba (32:62) explains that black is unique in that any colour painted on top of it becomes absorbed into it. Black therefore symbolises the oneness of Hashem. The Mishna Berura (33:19; Biur Halacha 33:3) writes that particular attention should be paid to the kesher of the shel yad , as that area is especially prone to wear. So long as the retzuos appear black at first glance, they remain kosher , even if upon closer inspection they look slightly grey or blue. The Mishna Berura further writes that he is uncertain whether the entire length of the retzuos must be black, or only the minimum amount of strap required for the tefil...

Question: Am I allowed to jog or jump on a trampoline on Shabbos? Answer: The Mishna (Shabbos 22:6) writes that there is a prohibition against being misamel on Shabbos. While Rashi translates this as massage, Rambam (Shabbos 21:28) understands it to mean exercise. Exerting oneself enough to bring out a sweat is a form of refuah, which is generally forbidden on Shabbos (See Shulchan Aruch OC 328:42). Thus, R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 6:4) writes that one can’t work out with gym equipment. The Gemara (Shabbos 113a) writes that one’s actions on Shabbos should be different to those during the week. According to Ramban (Vayikra 23:24), there is a mitzva deoraisa to rest on Shabbos. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 301:1) writes that one must not run on Shabbos unless it is to do a mitzva , such as running to shul (See Aruch Hashulchan OC 301:44). While the Mishna Berura (301:7) forbids jogging on Shabbos, R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 1:58) writes that one may run to esca...